Research shows that some hidden ingredients are not kidney-friendly, which can be found in many desserts. This can cause more problems in chronic kidney disease. Choosing the right kidney-friendly desserts can be challenging. However, we can have our cake when we know what to look for when keeping our kidneys healthy. Here are some quick, easy, and kidney-friendly dessert recipes to try for yourself!
This article was created after our low-potassium desserts article came out. It is bursting with more ideas and tips on how to add kidney-friendly desserts to the renal diet. Click here if you haven’t read it yet!
This article was written by dietetic student Leticia Papaleka and medically reviewed by Jen Hernandez RDN, CSR, LDN.
Table of Contents
Pretzels Dipped in Caramel
Low sodium pretzels are an easy fit into a renal diet. Make a kidney-friendly dessert with this pantry staple, along with a few other common ingredients.
Ingredients
- 6 Pretzels, unsalted
- Caramel sauce
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 8 tablespoons vegan butter (earth balance is a great choice)
- 4 tablespoons plant-based milk
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Directions
- Add all caramel ingredients to a small pot on medium heat.
- Stir until thicken and bubbles appear.
- Remove from heat and slightly cool.
- Dip hard pretzels and save the rest of the caramel for later.
- Caramel will hold for about a week and will set. Reheat prior to use.
Marshmallow Popcorn Balls
Popcorn is a great source of fiber and low in calories, when homemade you eliminate the extra additives.
Ingredients
- 1 cup popcorn (air-popped)
- ½ cup marshmallows
- 1 tablespoon butter or margarine
- 1 tablespoon peanuts, unsalted
Directions
- In a medium saucepan, melt marshmallows with butter over low heat.
- Turn off the heat and stir in popcorn and peanuts.
- Let rest for 2-4 minutes and carefully with greased hands make it into a ball.
A Kidney-Friendly Snickerdoodle Mug Cake
A mug cake can be done in a matter of minutes, here is a low-potassium recipe just for you. Enjoy!
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon of cream cheese
- 3 tablespoons confectioners sugar
- 1 tablespoon of coconut flour
- 1/2 tablespoon of melted butter, unsalted
- ¼ teaspoon no alcohol vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon, ground
- 1 tablespoon plain non-dairy yogurt
Directions
- Mix in a small bowl the cream cheese and 1 tablespoon of the confectioner’s sugar and set aside.
- In a microwave-safe mug, lightly grease with some butter and mix in the rest of the ingredients until combined.
- Do not overmix. Microwave mug for 60 seconds adding an extra 10 seconds until set.
- Let cool for 2-5 minutes and spread the cream cheese mixture.
Two-Ingredient Ice Cream
Raspberries are a low potassium fruit and a great source of omega-3 fatty acids an amazing component in the prevention of heart disease.
Ingredients
- 6 ounces raspberries, frozen
- 3 ounces full fat coconut milk
Directions
- In a blender or food processor blend ingredients and serve immediately.
- Can be saved up to a week in the freezer. Thaw out 5-10 before serving.
Homemade Low-Potassium Fruit Sorbet
With only three ingredients and a blender you too can enjoy this nice frozen treat.
Watermelon makes a tasty sorbet, not only is this fruit low kidney-friendly it also provides beta carotene and lycopene.
Ingredients
- 1 cup watermelon, frozen
- ¼ cup simple syrup ( boil ¼ cup water with ¼ cup sugar) and let cool
Directions
- Just freeze your favorite kidney-friendly fruit ( lowest in fluid).
- In a blender or food processor combine with a simple syrup (equal parts and sugar boiled to dissolve) or water to consistency.
Kidney- Friendly White Chocolate-Covered Strawberries
Strawberries are delicious on their own but if you are in the mood for something sweeter, try covering them in white chocolate.
White chocolate is the best kind of chocolate to cover your fruit or have on its own as it is kidney-friendly.
Strawberries are a great source of vitamin C and help provide us with high-density lipoproteins (HDL), the good cholesterol.
Ingredients
- ¼ cup white chocolate chips
- ¼ teaspoon coconut oil
- 3 large strawberries
Direction
- In a microwave-safe container melt the chocolate and coconut oil for 15-30 seconds.
- Stir until smooth and slightly cool before dipping strawberries, let cool before enjoying.
A Low-Potassium Dessert Pizza for Kidneys
This semi-homemade dessert pizza makes the perfect potluck dish, everyone will enjoy and can be substituted with other kidney-friendly fruits.
Who does not like pizza? Well, have you ever tried a dessert pizza? This recipe works for CKD because it contains berries.
Berries are one of the best options for CKD.
Berries are low in sugar and calories. High in antioxidants, vitamin C, and fiber. You won’t have to feel guilty about this kidney-friendly dessert.
Ingredients
- 1 Pillsbury ready to bake sugar cookie
- ½ tablespoon whipped, cream cheese
- ¼ cup mixed berries (blueberries, raspberries, and strawberries)
- ¼ tablespoon confectioners sugar
Directions
- Bake a cookie according to packing directions, these ready to- bake make it easy to save the rest for later.
- Meanwhile, combine cream cheese and confectioners sugar in a bowl.
- Once cookies are ready and slightly cooled, spread the cream cheese mixture over and add berries.
Dessert Shell with Peaches and Cream
Canned fruit is great for CKD most often the amount of potassium is reduced in the cooking process. Making this a great ingredient to use.
Did you know? Canned peaches have more folate than fresh, which can help blood levels in the body.
Ingredients
- 1 vanilla dessert shell
- ¼ cup of canned peaches in water
- 1 tablespoon of coconut whipped topping
Directions
- Drain the peaches and fill your dessert shell
- Topped with whipped cream.
Grilled Pineapple with Vanilla Ice Cream
Who would have thought grilled pineapple wasn’t just for burgers? This dessert is simple and delicious for any picnic or cookout.
Pineapple has many wonderful benefits, not only does it contain high amounts of vitamins, it may help aid in digestion, speed up the healing process, and suppress inflammation.
It may also help combat nasty colds and the flu by providing an immunity boost!
Ingredients
- 1 cup fresh pineapple (wedge or rings)
- ½ cup coconut whipped topping or vanilla ice cream
Directions
- Grilled pineapple to desire taste.
- Topped with sugar-free vanilla ice cream or your favorite plant-based whipped topping, such as coconut.
Golden Milk
Golden milk is good for the soul, it is a scrumptious and soothing drink all in one.
It has many properties to help reduce joint inflammation because of the curcumin and ginger.
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
- ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- a pinch of black pepper
Directions
- In a small saucepan, warm two cups (16 ounces) of unsweetened milk of choice over medium heat for 3-5 minutes.
- Next, whisk in each of the following spices:
- Add in your sweetener of choice (honey, maple syrup, sugar, or sugar substitute like Stevia) to desired taste.
- Continue to heat over medium-high heat for 3-5 minutes, but not to boil. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly. Add additional spices to your preference. This can be stored for up to 3 days in the refrigerator.
Summary
Research has shown certain ingredients that may be in desserts are not good for kidneys. If you are craving something sweet, try one of our kidney-friendly dessert recipes that everyone will enjoy.
Did we mention they are easy and quick to make? Some of which can be put together in minutes.
Our collection of recipes is not only low in potassium but phosphorus and sodium too!
